The ESU brings together and empowers people of different languages and cultures.

About us

What is the ESU?

Is an independent, non-political, educational charity and membership organization.

Today, the ESU has grown internationally into a network of independent organizations in over 50 countries of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Middle East and Africa.

The overall purpose of the ESU is to promote international understanding and human achievement through the widening use of the English language throughout the world.

Dartmouth House in London (UK) is international headquarters of the ESU. For further information please visit www.esu.org

ESU in Latvia

Our development:

1997 Idea of forming ESU in Latvia was discussed among a group of enthusiasts.

1998 ESU-Latvia National Steering Committee was formed

1999 ESU-Latvia was registered as a Latvian non-governmental organization.

2002 Official Launch of ESU-Latvia took place and integration in the global network of the ESUs was affirmed.

Leaders of ESU-Latvia since 1997:

Ian Tervit (1997-1998)

David Jackobs (1999)

Guna Jākobsone (2000-2002)

Marita Batņa (2003-2007)

Ruta Zadziorska (2007-2018), now President Emerita

Iveta Ivansone (2018- )

Traditional activities of ESU-Latvia:

Implementing annual National Public Speaking Competition

Involving in educational and cultural programmes organized by ESU International

Organizing book donations

Conducting monthly English Club sessions ESU-Latvia activities are implemented by voluntary work and are financed with fees, donations, sponsorships, ESU scholarships and grants.

Besides regular co-operation and information exchange with the ESU International, ESU-Latvia has been maintaining co-operation links with ESU-USA Delaware and St. Louis Branches, ESU-Lithuania, ESU-Czech Republic and other ESUs.

Winners of Public Speaking Competition in Latvia

2008 Kristaps Ozoliņš – Rīgas Valsts 1. ģimnāzija

2009 Dāvis Stepanovs – Rīgas Valsts 1. ģimnāzija

2010 Lūkass Lappuķe – Rīgas Franču licejs

2011 Oskars Goba – Valmieras Viestura vidusskola

2012 Matīss Kaža – Rīgas Centra Humanitārā vidusskola

2013 Jānis Gruzniņš – Talsu Kristīgā vidusskola

2014 Edvards Rutkis – Rīgas Franču licejs

2015 Elva Poriete – Jēkabpils Valsts ģimnāzija

2016 Gustavs Ēvalds – Rīgas Valsts 1.ģimnāzija

2017 Nikola Šādro – Jēkabpils Valsts ģimnāzija

2018 Rebeka Nagle – Rīgas Valsts 1.ģimnāzija

Message from
HRH Prince Philip.
The Duke of Edinburgh

“I believe the English-Speaking Union is making a very important contribution to global peace and understanding by helping people across the world to communicate in a common language. Quick and easy communication is vital in the resolution of conflict, and it also plays a prominent part in economic and social development.”